Final answer:
Men's fashion in the 17th to 18th centuries included iconic pieces like beaver hats and later the top hat, which signaled class identity and political affiliations. Fashion also reflected economic restrictions and the consumer revolution, with items like silk hats becoming popular in the mid-19th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
Men's fashion during the 17th to 18th centuries was quite distinctive and served as an indicator of social status and political stance. In the late 17th century, English Parliament prohibited American colonists from manufacturing and selling certain goods, including wool and iron-based products, to protect English merchants. One fashion piece that made a significant impact during the 18th century was the beaver hat. These hats were highly sought after in Europe due to their natural waterproof qualities and glossy sheen. Fashion also turned political during the boycotts of 1768-1769, where apparel indicated one's political affiliations - homespun for defenders of liberty and British superfine attire for supporters of parliamentary rights.
By the mid-19th century, the top hat became an iconic mark of class identity, especially among the bourgeoisie. However, it's worth noting that the previous century's beaver hats fell out of fashion around the 1850s when silk hats became popular and beavers were over-hunted, leading to their scarcity. The variety and extravagance of men's fashion during this period were not only a display of wealth but also a reflection of the colonial economic restrictions and the burgeoning consumer revolution.